Joint efforts to facilitate the use of LC/MS in clinical laboratories for steroid hormone testing

AB SCIEX, a global leader in life science analytical technologies, announced a collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation to facilitate the use of mass spectrometry technologies in clinical laboratories for hormone testing. This collaboration is intended to help support the CDC's Hormone Standardization Project for improving the reliability of laboratory results used to help assess disease risk and monitor treatment.

The Hormone Standardization Project aims to address current challenges in clinical research, including lack of comparability of data across studies and measurement systems as well as lack of appropriate performance of assays, especially at low concentrations, such as testosterone levels observed in women and children. To advance this project, the CDC is working to develop a reference method using mass spectrometry to improve comparability, specificity, and reliability of results and help facilitate more accurate testing practices.

Mass spectrometry is an advanced scientific technique used to analyze compounds based on their molecular composition. Mass spectrometers scan, identify, and measure the quantity of various molecules, including testosterone and other hormones. The CDC's reference method utilizes mass spectrometry combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (LC/MS). AB SCIEX provided the CDC with the use of an AB SCIEX QTRAP® 5500 System through a contribution to the CDC Foundation. The QTRAP system is an award-winning mass spectrometer that is part of an integrated solution, which also features Cliquid® Software for Clinical Research, an automated software application designed to simplify the use of mass spectrometry for clinical researchers.

Joe Anacleto, Vice President and General Manager of the Applied Markets and Clinical Research Business, AB SCIEX “AB SCIEX is well-positioned to help advance clinical research through the expanded use of mass spectrometry. We value the opportunity to assist the CDC in advancing improved accuracy of results for hormone testing. AB SCIEX clinical research solutions use best-in-class technology for this critical analysis.”